Distribution and ecological risk of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in surficial sediments from the Eastern Aegean

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were determined in sediment with three replicates collected from the Eastern Aegean coast in 2008. Total concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in sediments ranged from bdl to 17.8, bdl to 26.1 ng g−1 dwt, respectively. The results indicated that DDTs were the predominant contaminant in sediments. p,p′-DDE was the most often found OCP at all stations except Dardanelles Strait Entrance. DDTs may be derived from the aged and weathered agricultural soils and transported by surface run off from the rivers. OCPs and PCBs were present in noticeably higher concentrations at Izmir Inner Bay than the other sites. According to established sediment quality guidelines, DDTs at four sites and heptachlor at two sites would be more concerned for the ecotoxicological risk in the Eastern Aegean. In addition, the risk of adverse biological effects from the levels of PCBs at sites Candarli and Izmir Inner Bay should be significant.